The specific reason is to be able carry my NYS licensed pistol on my person concealed when at XXXXXXX schools – i.e. on school grounds for transporting my kids, watching them at swimming practice/events at nights and on the weekends, and at other events when convenient where campus security is lax or none-existent. As you may be aware, when there are major events such as basketball and football games, the XXXXXX Police presence is obvious, and security is quite good. Yet at most other times security for the parents, fans, and kids is noticeably absent. Please consider events such as last year’s XXX high school-sponsored blood-drive when the campus was EXTREMELY open to ANY one to enter – even those who may have bad intent; evening & weekend practices are not much different (though obviously not as busy), and are basically year-round. Recent events in this nation point out the fact that reprehensible individuals will violate and ignore numerous laws, the least of which being the “gun free school zone” law, and this has led to despicable and tragic assaults and murders taken place against innocent children, who for the most part are left unprotected.
The purpose of my carrying a pistol concealed when ever possible is for defense of my-self and others – specifically my kids and family. When I was a police officer, I took an oath to serve and protect, and that is a life-long obligation I take seriously. I also considerate it much safer to have the pistol inconspicuously & discretely on my person then to be forced to leave it behind in a vehicle parked on the street, even when, as is most often the case, I am simply escorting the kids to the school/pool when dropping off and picking them up. (Many states allow this at least).
The federal government allows such ‘possession’ of state-licensed pistols (due to the complete background check, finger prints, etc.), but NYS for some reason denies it without ‘your’ permission; as the question of whether federal law trumps state law is a bit questionable, the next logical step to remain lawful AND responsible was to contact you in this matter. So as a responsible parent and citizen, I felt it necessary to do whatever I could to try to have the continued capability to ensure the safety of my family if, God forbid, the need ever arose. I am sure NYS won’t accept the responsibility to guarantee that safety, and so has left it to “XXXXXX Schools” to realize the tremendous burden they are accepting – in actuality, and morally and financially, should a terrible event ever occur on campus, and someone present like myself who quite possibly could have made a positive difference was denied that right. I know I would not be able to ever accept the results of such an incident if I hadn’t done whatever I could personally to try to be prepared for all possibilities. And so the request...
If the purposes I have outlined are not deemed reasonable enough, I feel that “at least I tried”, that I have shared the burden morally and legally, and my kids are no worse off then before I asked.
I am very appreciative your continued attention to this issue, XXXX. Please let me as soon as possible if the above information will make an impact towards a positive result on my request.
My daughter tells me she shook hands with you at the Scholar-Athlete ceremony – I was still in Vegas and sad I had missed it! Next time, I hope!
Most Respectively,
Yes, carrying a pistol affects our safety, but not in the way he thinks.